Photonic Devices
We develop liquid-crystal photonic devices to shape and measure the polarization, wavefront and angular momentum of light.
Our work connects photonic device design with optical sensing and the physics of light–matter interactions. We use polarization and wavefront analysis in the visible and infrared to investigate the dielectric and morphological properties of materials, and study the transfer of spin and orbital angular momentum between light and matter.
Research lines
Wavefront and polarization shaping
We devise methods and optical components for the controlled shaping of polarization and optical wavefronts.
Liquid-crystal geometric-phase devices
We design and fabricate spatially varying axis plates based on the Pancharatnam–Berry geometric phase, including q-plates, Λ-plates, polarization-switchable lenses and modulated Poincaré-beam generators.
Geometric-phase wavefront sensing
We develop geometric-phase shearing interferometry in linear and radial geometries, using prism-like Λ-plates, cylindrical lenses, axicon-like γ-plates and spherical lenses.
Material and beam characterization
Our methods reveal bulk inhomogeneities, surface curvature, edges and roughness, and enable measurements of spin and orbital angular momentum and optical topological charge.
Applications
These devices and measurement techniques support applications in optical sensing, material characterization, structured-light generation, optical information processing and communications.
Explore SLAM
This group is part of SLAM, a cluster of three independent research groups with shared scientific interests and resources.